Insurance Edge caught up with Dan Cicchetti, Senior Director of Insurance Client Engagement at LexisNexis Risk Solutions UK & Ireland, to find out more on their partnership with Thatcham Research, pricing vehicle risk as well as drivers, property data – and much more.
IE; The latest news for UK brokers is the partnership with Thatcham Research, it’s all about enhancing the data for brokers isn’t it?
DC; Exactly that, making all the right data available to brokers at the point in the process when they need it. It’s going to give them much more clarity when it comes to the vehicle, support them from a panel perspective too. It’s way more granular data than ever before.
Thatcham Research gives us unique insights at a time when the UK car parc is changing rapidly, results of crash tests and everything else that Thatcham Research is doing and for brokers it’s so important to have those insights as early as possible in the quotation process.
It’s great for consumers too, because they can now understand much more about how the vehicle risk assessment is being made and the price worked out.
IE; Modern cars have a variety of ADAS systems, even within one model, plus optional subscription features. So it really matters now in terms of knowing every detail doesn’t it?
DC; It’s ever changing and LexisNexis Risk Solutions launched LexisNexis® Vehicle Build so that we could define exactly which range of features each vehicle has at VIN level. Not just trim level, that’s a big difference. LexisNexis Vehicle Build is evolving of course which is really helping a large portion of the market now make better decisions about severity of damage, costs to repair and so on.
IE; That’s so crucial isn’t it, because the decision between salvage and repairability can be made during a claim, if you have all the ADAS and tech features data?
DC; Yeah it’s a huge issue and where we are going at LexisNexis Risk Solutions to push that data into all parts of the UK car insurance ecosystem, it’s absolutely essential. Better data means better decisions.
IE; Do you see more UK regulation on repairability from the EU and UK in the future, like the EU ruling on home appliances and gadgets recently for example?
DC; There is a strong chance of regulation moving in that direction., Consumers really do want this as well. There is a different mindset these days for sure, which means repairing is a greener option than replacing the vehicle.
Knowing the costs of potential repairs is an integral part of pricing risk. Windscreens for example, you see modern screens packed with sensors. These need a calibration sign off after replacement etc. so that’s information you need at the onboarding stage of course.
IE Moving onto property, you have a new announcement here at BIBA.
DC; We do indeed. So according to Met Office data 2025 was the warmest year on record and 2026 has got off to a wet start, so this can be a factor in subsidence. We’re highlighting why address level data is vital. Our analysis shows that when flood risk is assessed at individual property level rather than postcode level, only around one third of properties in high flood-risk postcodes are actually at high risk. In fact, a greater proportion of properties (37%) show no flood risk at all as high risk. This is essential data for brokers active in the Home or Landlord insurance sectors.
When you drill down into postcode data you can actually offer some consumers a much better quote because the true risk can be defined now, again at a granular level, rather than just postcode based risks.
IE; That’s the type of thing that wins consumer trust too doesn’t it?
DC; Yes, it’s a better conversation between broker and client when both know that truly accurate data is being used to price the property risk.
IE; There is a perception still that the value of house is being insured, not the entire risk; rebuild, cleaning, underpinning, repairs, accommodation for a family whilst those repairs are carried out. In some ways the industry maybe needs to communicate that overall risk profile better?
DC; Accurate communication starts with accurate understanding of the risk. LexisNexis Risk Solutions has invested significantly in building a platform that gives brokers and insurers a genuinely complete picture — property characteristics, location, peril exposure, and the wider risk factors that determine what a claim could actually cost, not just what the building is worth. When that intelligence is embedded directly into the quote process, whether manual or automated, it supports more accurate pricing and products that are properly calibrated to the true exposure. That’s the foundation for better customer communication too.
IE; Data is our friend, if it’s used correctly – it’s all good Dan. Thanks for your time.
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